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continuation and amplification, we presume, of the 'Naturalists' Scrap Book,' a lithographed journal mentioned by us from time to time, and devoted to local natural history. We wish this useful publication every success, and shall not fail to encourage it by presenting our readers with occasional extracts from it.

M. Casimir de Candolle has published, in the Transactions of the Geneva Natural History Society, a 'Mémoire sur la Famille des Pipéracées,' illustrated by figures, to which we should wish to direct attention.

The ‘Botanical Results (Botanische Ergebnisse) of the Journey to Brazil of His Majesty the Emperor of Mexico, Maximilian I., during the years 1859–60,’ by Dr. Heinrich Wawra, has just been published at Vienna. It forms a folio volume of 234 pages, accompanied by 104 lithographs, some of them coloured.

Mr. J. Smith's collection of Ferns, next to that of the late Sir W. J. Hooker's the most perfect and valuable in the world, has been bought by the British Museum. The same institution has also acquired the Diatomaceœ of the late Dr. Greville.

The twenty-seventh annual meeting of the Royal Botanic Society of London was held at the gardens, Regent's Park, Mr. B. Attwood being in the chair. The Report of the Council stated that the number of new Fellows elected during the year was larger than in that immediately preceding, and above the average of the past nine years. The total receipts of the year, including the balance brought forward, amounted to £10,476. 4s. 6d.,.and the payments to £8921. 15s. 10d., thus leaving a balance in hand of £1554. 8s. 8d. The gardens had been well attended during the year, amongst other visitors being many members of the Royal Family. The council had obtained a new lease from the Crown for thirty-one years, many new plants had been added to the collections, and others had flowered for the first time, especially the hardy Chinese Palm-tree, which bids fair to become a valuable addition to ornamental shrubberies in England. The attendance of medical students had been larger than usual, and the facilities afforded to lecturers, artists, and students was highly appreciated by them. The council and officers were re-elected.

The death of two eminent German botanists has to be recorded, Dr. Kotschy, of Vienna, and Dr. Mettenius, of Leipzig. Dr. Kotschy is well known as an Eastern explorer, and the author of a monograph of Oaks and several books of travel, containing much valuable information. Being a staunch Protestant, Dr. Kotschy's merit and European reputation were but tardily acknowledged in Roman Catholic Austria, and he died in but a subordinate position, being assistant at the Vienna Herbarium. Owing to the recent war in Germany, no obituary of him has as yet appeared, but the omission will probably soon be supplied. Dr. Mettenius died on the 18th of August at Leipzig, where he was Professor of Botany and Director of the Botanic Garden, a situation held formerly by the late Dr. Kunze, whose predilection for Ferns Dr. Mettenius shared. He was a son-in-law of Dr. Alexander Braun, and only forty-three years of age when his useful life came to a premature end.

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